“I am an Arab woman and a Muslim, belonging to my community and culture, and at the same time, I am proud of performing my duty as a spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces.”
“I don’t speak because I have the power to speak; I speak because I don’t have the power to remain silent.” Rav Kook z"l
“I am an Arab woman and a Muslim, belonging to my community and culture, and at the same time, I am proud of performing my duty as a spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces.”
The number of haredi recruits joining the IDF has risen steadily in recent years, according to data from the IDF Manpower Directorate published by Yedioth Ahronoth. The figures show annual increases of more than 1,000 recruits, reflecting a significant shift in enlistment trends.
According to the report, several factors have contributed to the rise, including growing public pressure amid the army's severe manpower shortage, Supreme Court rulings that led to stricter enforcement of enlistment obligations, and a transition from institutional sanctions to measures targeting individuals.
Before the outbreak of the war, the IDF enlisted approximately 1,700 haredi recruits each year. That number increased to about 2,200 during the first year of the war through July 2024, climbed to roughly 2,800 by July 2025, and has now surpassed 4,000 recruits over the past year.
The IDF says it has introduced a range of initiatives aimed at accommodating haredi service members while preserving their religious lifestyle. These include the establishment of the Hashmonaim Brigade and dedicated service tracks such as the Kodkod program.
Despite the increase in enlistment, military officials say the army continues to face a critical manpower shortage. According to the IDF, it is currently short approximately 7,500 soldiers, as well as a similar number of combat support personnel, following more than 950 military fatalities and thousands of wounded since the start of the war.
Defense officials estimate that the enlistment potential within the haredi community is significantly greater, noting that each draft class includes approximately 14,000 haredi men eligible for military service.
As part of efforts to further expand recruitment, the IDF Chief of Staff recently signed a General Staff directive establishing three formal tracks for haredi service. The directive is intended to provide clear guidelines for recruits and rabbinical leaders while formally protecting the rights of haredi soldiers. The army also appointed Brig. Gen. Avinoam Emunah as adviser on haredi affairs, a role that includes overseeing initiatives such as the Hashmonaim Brigade.
The IDF is also exploring additional frameworks, including separate haredi company units and a dedicated training system that would offer officer training and expanded opportunities in combat support and frontline combat roles.
While ascending the Har HaBayit is traditionally prohibited, the rabbis who originally enacted the restriction explained that pikuach nefesh (saving life) overrides it, as the site cannot be left unsecured.
HaRav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv zt"l ruled that police entry is permissible as long as they immerse beforehand, prompting the construction of an on-site mikveh Medoraysa (built according to biblical stringencies) where officers stand in line during every shift change.
i have no idea how “apostle” Kathryn Krick is even converting people. I watched part of a sermon and there is no light behind her eyes. no inflection in her speech. Charismatic revivalism is a heretical joke. pic.twitter.com/pfTp4rcXFB
— Pavlov’s Favorite Dog. (@soul0nline) July 25, 2026
A Los Angeles-based pastor whose dramatic prayer services regularly go viral is once again at the center of controversy.
After videos from a recent Texas book signing showed followers collapsing, shaking and convulsing as Kathryn Krick prayed over them, there’s been renewed accusations from some Christian leaders that her ministry resembles a cult.
Krick leads Five-Fold Church, also known as 5F Church, in Los Angeles, according to Church Leaders.
The self-described apostle has amassed a massive online following, with more than half a million Instagram followers and a growing presence on TikTok, where supporters celebrate what they describe as miraculous healings and spiritual deliverance.
But the 35-year-old’s explosive popularity has been matched by equally intense criticism.
The latest debate erupted after Krick visited Houston to promote her new book, “Ignite Revival.” Video shared from the event shows attendees falling to the floor, trembling and appearing to convulse as Krick prayed for them and signed books.
Posting footage from the gathering, Krick wrote, “How God moved in that bookstore among the people amazed us!” Supporters claimed people experienced healing from illnesses, emotional trauma and spiritual oppression during the event.
One attendee enthusiastically shared their experience online, writing, “This was one of the best days of my life! I will never forget how powerfully I was touched by the anointing at this book signing. I couldn’t stay on my feet as I stepped forward to have my book signed! So many were beautifully touched.”
However, not everyone was convinced.
One skeptical social media user questioned the unusual physical reactions, writing, “Whoa. A lot happening here.
“I’m just wondering, as a Christian who has received and seen a ton of healing, why with @apostlekathrynkrick do these people tremble and shake and seize? What’s so different about this specific healing vs others?”
Krick’s ministry began roughly nine years ago as a small worship gathering after she relocated to Los Angeles to pursue careers in acting and music, per Church Leaders.
She has openly discussed struggling with insecurity while preaching, saying she felt called by God despite doubting her abilities.
Since then, her ministry has grown rapidly, fueled largely by social media, where short videos of dramatic healing services routinely attract millions of views.
Krick also credits her spiritual mentor, Tanzanian minister Prophet GeorDavie, for helping shape her ministry. She has said his guidance played a role in her ability to perform faith healings and cast out demons.
However, those claims have become a lightning rod among other Christian leaders.
Bible teacher Mike Winger has repeatedly criticized Krick’s ministry on Facebook, calling her a “cult leader” who promotes “false teachings” and questionable spiritual practices. He has also questioned why prominent Christian figures have publicly supported her ministry.
Critics believe she promotes “false teachings” and has questionable spiritual practices.
Pastor Chris Rosebrough has similarly accused Krick on YouTube of accepting an unhealthy level of admiration from followers that should be reserved for Jesus alone.
Despite the criticism, Krick wrote on Instagram that opposition to her ministry stems from jealousy and misunderstanding, while her supporters continue to defend what they believe are genuine encounters with God.
As videos of worshippers collapsing and shaking continue to spread online, the debate surrounding the Los Angeles minister shows no signs of slowing down, with supporters calling the scenes miraculous and critics warning that vulnerable believers could be placing their faith in the wrong person.
The Post reached out to the church for comment.
By Khaled Abu Toameh, Gatestone Institute
US President Donald J. Trump’s proposed civilian nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia risks becoming one of the most dangerous strategic mistakes in recent American Middle East policy.
Although supporters portray the agreement as a peaceful energy partnership designed to strengthen relations with a key Arab ally, the long-term consequences could be devastating.
The agreement threatens to weaken decades of US non-proliferation policy, ignite a regional arms race, embolden America’s adversaries, and create security risks that future generations may be powerless to reverse.
Congress and the American public should reject the agreement before it sets a precedent that could undermine global efforts to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons.
The most controversial aspect of the proposed agreement is that it reportedly allows Saudi Arabia to develop domestic uranium enrichment capabilities under safeguards that fall short of the stringent standards previously demanded by Washington.
While low-enriched uranium is used to fuel civilian nuclear reactors, the same technology can eventually produce highly enriched uranium suitable for nuclear weapons.
The danger is not theoretical.